Michael Kennedy

Executive of Architecture and Interoperability
Office of the Program Manager,
Information Sharing Environment (PM-ISE)

Born in Biloxi, Mississippi and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mr. Kennedy graduated from the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas followed by the U.S. Naval Academy in 1979. In active duty, he earned qualifications as a Surface Warfare Officer and Naval Aviator, with a subspecialty in Computer Technology & Science. Following active duty, Mr. Kennedy served 19 years in the Navy Reserve as an Intelligence Officer. He had several active duty, mobilization, and command tours, culminating as the Commander of Reserve Intelligence Area Midwest followed by retirement in June 2009.

Beginning his career with civilian service in 1989, Mr. Kennedy took over as Deputy Contracting Officer Technical Representative for the Major Shared Resource Center at the Naval Oceanographic Office. He reported to HQ, United States Central Command as the head of the Department of Defense Intelligence Information Systems (DoDIIS), System Integration Management Office for the command in 1995. He also served on the Commander-In-Chief's Year 2000 Task Force as director of contingency planning and intelligence community systems testing. Mr. Kennedy served at United States Southern Command as Chief, J2 Systems, responsible to the Director of Intelligence as the J2 Chief Information Officer (CIO). He directed a 100+ person joint-service military and contractor team of Information Technology (IT) professionals responsible for all J2 Information Technology and Communications at HQ and across 12 sites throughout the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility. In April 2003, Mr. Kennedy transferred to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center where he assumed duties as Chief; Plans, Policy, & Resources Division; Communications & Information Directorate and later as the Chief of the Networks and Operations Division.

In April 2006 he was appointed as a Senior National Intelligence Service Officer as the Chief of Information and Technology for the Director of National Intelligence. In this capacity Mr. Kennedy served as the Director for the ODNI planning, integrating, implementing, providing and maintaining communications, networking, information technology, multi-media, and graphics to the office. In July of 2008 Mr. Kennedy took over as the Chief of Operations and then Director of Intelink. In this capacity he represented the IC CIO for Intelink at the national agency level. Mr. Kennedy managed a directorate responsible for 24x7 operation and support of numerous worldwide networks of different classification levels among numerous national agencies and IT services for the use of the entire Intelligence Community. He provided oversight and direction of several mission critical IT programs and services assuring each was consistent with the IC CIO strategic intent and the National Intelligence Strategy. Mr. Kennedy provided leadership to an integrated staff of IT officers from across the IC to ensure compliance with all IT guidance, laws, and regulations.

He is a graduate of the Navy Business Executive Course from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, and Intelligence Community Senior Leadership Program from the National Intelligence University. His civilian awards include the National Intelligence Certificate of Distinction (2), the Air Force Civilian Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Chairman Joint Chiefs Civilian Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commander’s Medal for Civilian Service. Mr. Kennedy’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2), Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (3), and numerous campaign and unit awards.

Mr. Kennedy is married to the former Maria del Socorro (Coco) Arellano Aranda, of Monterrey, Mexico. They have one daughter, LTJG Veronica Kennedy, USN, stationed in San Diego, CA as part of the pre-commissioning crew of the USS Coronado (LCS 4). Mike and Coco reside in Annapolis, Maryland.